Staying In Liverpool with Ibis Styles

If you know me then you know I’m all about last minute plans, usually because I always leave things to the very possible last second to organise. So, on Sunday morning when I realised I needed somewhere to live temporarily post-Liverpool Sound City, I quickly jumped on the internet and luckily discovered a twin room in the beautiful Ibis Styles Hotel on Dale Street, Liverpool. If like me, you’re one for simple quirkiness and aren’t afraid of swapping a traditional English breakfast for granola, brie and more croissants than you could shake a stick at – then look no further!

The Ibis Styles Hotel is located in the commercial district of Liverpool, near the courts and roughly a ten-minute walk to infamous Albert Dock and Beatles Story. Branded as ‘the hotel that sings’, every room is ‘musically themed’, meaning it has the essence of The Beatles plastered all over it. Whether it’s from the subtle psychedelic carpets, spiralling song lyrics or simply a pop of colour splattered across the room – the music of the legendary band is seriously alive in this hotel.

Walking into the hotel is different. You are greeted by a colourful chill-out area and a bar. It is 2 pm and there is no bartender… Where is the front desk? The Styles hotel has decided to drop the formalities, the pay-at-the-desk and the awkward reception check-out conversation. This is the internet era and when booking your hotel, an automatic check-in is applied (if you want of course.) You just need to find a lovely staff member who swipes your paying card for security reasons, gives you your room key and sends you on your way.

The lifts are card-automated – so if you’re not staying at the hotel you’re not using the lift to get up to the rooms. This idea allows you to feel fully secured and extremely safe, especially when you are staying at the hotel alone like I was.

I was designated Room 501, and it was so refreshingly lovely! The room in all consisted of two extremely soft twin beds, with unbleached sheets; a desk area for working if you are on business or have some rambling thoughts you need to write down; a wall mounted TV; a wardrobe filled with complimentary coffee, tea and a hairdryer; a gorgeously clean bathroom fitted with two towels and shampoo/body wash and two MASSIVE mirrors, perfect for selfies.

Adorning the bathroom door was a swirl of the word ‘road’ in various different languages such as Spanish and German, as well as along the back wall next to the beds in a wavy fashion. See pictures for a clearer understanding.

The room was immaculately clean, safe, tidy and friendly. The greyscale theme with a pop of pink and blue carpeting was seriously inviting as well as extremely calming. There were no garish colours nor was there anything causing an eye-sore. I loved the room so much that I rank it highly as one of the best rooms I’ve stayed in for a l o n g time.

On my way into the hotel after the festival, I was kindly reminded that breakfast was being served from six am until half 11, due to it being a bank holiday weekend. HELLO LIE IN. At about half nine I made my way downstairs to the bar area, where a continental feast was put on.

In kooky glass, jugs were every juice option under the sun: apple, pineapple, orange and cranberry just to name a few, shots of what looked like tomato juice? (I was far too scared to try) and alongside these the largest bowl of bananas I’ve ever seen. Moving across there was rows of soft granola and natural greek yoghurt in v. cute jars, a selection of vegetables (cucumbers and tomatoes sliced two ways), ham and pastrami and the largest cheeseboard in the world.

I am trying slowly and surely to be dairy free, but in situations like this, where there are thirty slices of soft, creamy brie piled high on a wooden board – it would be rude to say no, right? I died and went to cheese heaven. Future Ella, please don’t be disappointed in me.

A selection of slices of bread and a basket of croissants was also on offer. I lost count of how many croissants I managed to dunk into my three (!!) lattes and scoff into my mouth. As the saying goes, when in Liverpool…Right?

After I had doubled my weight in the food I edged my way back up to my hotel room, packed up my belongings and headed downstairs for check out. Simple and effective, I again found one of the staff members and handed her my room key. A couple hours later I received a confirmation text saying I had been successfully checked out. I liked this very much as it felt as if I was personally being thanked by the company for staying. So here I am, returning that thanks.

Fast service, friendly and affordable for a hotel of such fantastic description – if you ever need somewhere to stay in Liverpool I would highly recommend theIbis Styles Hotel on Dale Street. I’m now itching to get travelling and find out what the rest of the Ibis Styles Hotels are like across Europe? Please give me recommendations for any that you’ve stayed in!